Meeting Of Pope, Top Sunni Cleric Sparks Online Debate In Arab World

MAX ROSSI/AFP/Getty25 May 2016

JAFFA, Israel – A UAE prince who expressed his support for a meeting between Pope Francis and the head of the world’s leading Sunni Muslim institution came under a barrage of online criticism as well as sympathy.

Hazaa bin Zayed, the deputy governor of Abu Dhabi, was commenting on Monday’s meeting between the Pope and Sheik Ahmed el-Tayyib (pictured), the head of Al Azhar Academy, which was described in the Arab press as “historic.”

“Our world today needs tolerance just like it needs water and air,” the deputy governor tweeted. “What a beautiful moment, and what a great meeting.”

During the meeting, the two religious leaders hugged and stressed the importance of Muslim-Christian dialogue. According to the Arab press, the two men discussed world peace in a meeting that came after years of tension following Francis’ predecessor, Benedict XVI, who linked Islam and violence.

“The meeting is the message,” Francis told el-Tayyib, explaining the meeting was significant.

Bin Zayed’s supportive tweet sparked thousands of responses and clashes between supporters and detractors of the meeting.

One commenter condemned the meeting by saying that the Quran ordered Muslims “not to be ruled by Jews or Christians.”

Khalifa also denounced the evocation of the verse, writing: “Showing tolerance doesn’t mean accepting their rule. The Prophet, peace be upon him, had Jewish neighbors. Unlike other religions, Islam is tolerant.”